Feeling like a Hoarder??

Hey everyone, it's been about 3 months (or so) since I've last posted anything and I've been itching to do so but I had no clue on what to write about! I just kept thinking to myself, "dang, I gotta get my thoughts organized!" then of course my mind started to wonder and relaized that I had to do a lot of organizing!!

As the laundry list of things to do continues to grow and I my sanity shrinks, it brings comfort knowing that I must not be the only one who gets to go to battle with clutter which made me want to open up a discussion on what's the number thing you tell clients to declutter? Do you have any tips or tricks for organizing? I would love to compile a top 10 list on spring cleaning from the pros. And of course, I gotta give credit where credit is due. Thank you for your feedback!

Three weeks ago, I got a new toy and wanted to play with it, but I needed to find my old heavy duty tripod. The old one that has one leg that will pull from the receptacle and make me spend the next ten minutes re-assembling. That is the Tripod I wanted to find.

I think I folded it and placed the collapsed tri-pod in a shelf in the resources room. Wasn't there. Or in the bedroom or other bedrooms or family room or Florida room or garage. I looked. Five times, talking to myself, "WHere is it?" I realized I threw it away because it had a busted leg.

Resigned to spending $100+ for a replacement, I head to the office to do some online shopping. On the drafting table behind my desk I see, set up for use, my old tripod.

I searched the room no less than five times looking for a collapsed tripod, and could not see the one atop the drafting table. It had been there, unobstructed, plain as day, since the creation of my last ad campaign.

My point is, sometimes we can not see, because we can only see what we want to see. Many people can not see their clutter.

I start with, "Do you know when last you used any of those remotes on the table top?"

I've been working with some hoarders during 2016. It takes patience. Make a list of places that take donations.( Salvation Army, Lupus Foundation, Viet Nam Vets, etc). See if they want to give anything to family members. Make a place for things that go in trash and to recycling. Old clothes can be donated to homeless, churches, or any charity organizations. You'll need lots of boxes. Small ones are best. They will want to save many things that others think are junk. Don't argue or try to pressure them to get rid of anything that they aren't ready to get rid of. Spring cleaning isn't the same for everyone. outside, gutters might need cleaning, leaves raked, bushes trimmed, decks sealed, shingles repaired, chimneys and fireplaces cleaned and /or repaired, furnace filters cleaned or changed, etc. The list could be different for different people.

Decluttering is a great way to recycle usable items to various shelters or other groups in need. Who needs 4 kitchen colanders or 2 dozen bath towels? We not only help ourselves when we declutter, we help others!

Have you used it in the last six months? Will you for sure use it in the next six months? No to both? Get rid of it.

Organization ideas: Have a list of the items with a priority rating (urgent, high, medium, low) and estimated time to completion (hours) on your monitor or fridge (some place you'll see it regularly). Start working on the big ticket items and maybe some of the "quick wins" like weeding a front yard.

As a stager I've advised on clutter on a regular basis. I would say collections and excess decor accessories would probably be the most common items I've had to suggest be removed. Books, clothes and toys are right up there too.

Kitchens should be first, clear the counters. My best clients rented a storage unit and removed lots of stuff for better showings. As to yourself, when decluttering, don't try to do too much at once, it can be overwhelming. Best to do about 10 items a day. You'd be surprised how easy it will be to find them!

There are varying degrees of clutter and hoarding. Every client is different. There is an emotional/psychological component to what causes people to keep things they do not use. Everyone is treated with dignity. Generally speaking, lists will not help. I wish you all the best with your quest for organizing tips.

For clutter, i always tell them start in the kitchen, bath then bedroom and on to the living room. As far as what to write about. Write about your area, any good events? whats the market like? how is the weather and is it affecting the market?

Rent a storage unit and move as much of your unnecessary belongings off the property as possible! If it is spring or summer, box up your winter clothes. Get rid of your turkey tray, extra plates, mismatched tupperware, and those spices you bought six years ago and never use. Take down most of your pictures, spackle and touch-up the paint. No more than one item on any flat surface, period! The more stuff they remove, the more spacious the home feels and the easier it is to clean prior to a showing.

Well, stagers have the job of telling the sellers they live with too much stuff. I have videos & checklists on my website that I refer clients too.

NO IDEAS from me at all until they are going to sign first. I would say that people have no idea their house looks like a tornado hit it. I always tell people that the kitchen is one of the top areas to tackle first OR at least stash it in the cabinets.

People just do not want to see other peoples junk or distracting garbage anywhere in the house.

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